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12/12/2022
Other News In Brief
Appeal For Information On Arson Attack In Newry
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of arson with intent at residential premises in the Clanrye Avenue area of Newry on Friday 9th December.
Shortly before 7pm, it was reported a petrol bomb was thrown at a house in the area. The object did not ignite, but damage was caused to a living room window of the property. Scorch damage was also caused to the front door of the house, as it was set alight during the incident.
Enquiries are continuing and police are investigating a potential link between an earlier incident, in which a number of bottles were thrown at the property and a window was damaged.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances and would appeal to anyone with any information to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1678 09/12/22. A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
UUP Write To Govt Ministers About Energy Payment
Ulster Unionist Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA has written to the Energy Minister, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland calling for the release of at least £200 of the £600 committed by Westminster to households in Northern Ireland before the end of December.
Speaking as confusion continues to grow on when and how the energy support payments would be delivered to households in Northern Ireland, Mr. Allen said: "It is a complete failure that, while households across England, Scotland and Wales have been receiving financial support since October, the Government at Westminster is still debating how and when equivalent support will be delivered to Northern Ireland households.
"As temperatures continue to drop, families throughout Northern Ireland - many who were expecting support to arrive last month - are struggling to heat their homes or put food on the table with many having to ration food, electricity and heating.
"I have already highlighted that local energy companies have indicated that they can deliver the original scheme to every household with an electricity account - a model that seems to no longer be preferred by Westminster – although I have no idea why they have changed their mind at the 11th hour.
"I have today written to the Energy Minister, Grant Shapps, copying in the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asking them to urgently release at the very least £200 of the energy support for each household in Northern Ireland, to be distributed by local energy companies before the end of December. While this is less than people are expecting, it could provide some support for those families and individuals facing the bleakest winter imaginable, whilst the Government works with the utmost urgency to deliver their alternative model.
"This would place Northern Ireland in a similar position to the rest of the UK, who will have received just under £200 for energy support by the end of this month. It is the least Westminster can do to help alleviate increasing hardship. Of course, this should be complemented by an Executive to deliver further short-term support measures alongside the development of medium to longer-term intervention.
"It is imperative the Government acts with urgency to deliver the support which was promised."
Alliance Calls For Urgent Action On Air Pollution
Warnings of high air pollution that apply to parts of the north west of Northern Ireland demonstrate further that air quality must be urgently prioritised by any incoming Executive, Alliance Party representatives John Blair MLA and Paula Bradshaw MLA has said.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs issued warnings in the north west of Northern Ireland for 'high and moderate' air pollution levels on Sunday night (11 December). It added that the current weather situation may cause the pollution to persist.
During periods of high pollution, whilst generally healthy people are said to be unlikely to experience adverse affects, the symptoms of people with lung or heart disease may worsen.
Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA stated: "The warnings that air pollution has reached the highest possible level in parts of the north west are a stark reminder of the need for urgent action on air quality. Worse still is that the outgoing minister denied increased funding for more air quality monitoring sites, leaving us uncertain about the exact levels of air pollution across all localities.
"This is also a reminder of the failure thus far to deliver a Clean Air Strategy, including low emission zones and consistency of approach to smoke control across Council areas.
"This is another area where inaction penalises people; we simply cannot afford not to act quickly on such issues."
Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA added: "We are now more than aware of the seriously detrimental impact of poor air quality on public health, including on the prevalence of respiratory diseases such as COPD.
"Although some measures have been taken over the years to improve the situation, particularly with regard to cleaner energy and reduced smoking, there remains a huge amount of work to be done.
"The impact on both the environment and on health is why action to improve air quality features not just in the Alliance Party's 'Green New Deal' proposals, but is also placed at the forefront of our 'Fighting Fit' document on health and well-being. Our specific policies include improving the air quality alert system, a Lung Health Strategy, and a single integrated service to prevent and intervene quickly on respiratory disease, including by improving air quality.
"It is time we were back round the table taking responsibility for delivery on such high priority matters which affect our common well-being."
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of arson with intent at residential premises in the Clanrye Avenue area of Newry on Friday 9th December.
Shortly before 7pm, it was reported a petrol bomb was thrown at a house in the area. The object did not ignite, but damage was caused to a living room window of the property. Scorch damage was also caused to the front door of the house, as it was set alight during the incident.
Enquiries are continuing and police are investigating a potential link between an earlier incident, in which a number of bottles were thrown at the property and a window was damaged.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances and would appeal to anyone with any information to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1678 09/12/22. A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
UUP Write To Govt Ministers About Energy Payment
Ulster Unionist Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA has written to the Energy Minister, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland calling for the release of at least £200 of the £600 committed by Westminster to households in Northern Ireland before the end of December.
Speaking as confusion continues to grow on when and how the energy support payments would be delivered to households in Northern Ireland, Mr. Allen said: "It is a complete failure that, while households across England, Scotland and Wales have been receiving financial support since October, the Government at Westminster is still debating how and when equivalent support will be delivered to Northern Ireland households.
"As temperatures continue to drop, families throughout Northern Ireland - many who were expecting support to arrive last month - are struggling to heat their homes or put food on the table with many having to ration food, electricity and heating.
"I have already highlighted that local energy companies have indicated that they can deliver the original scheme to every household with an electricity account - a model that seems to no longer be preferred by Westminster – although I have no idea why they have changed their mind at the 11th hour.
"I have today written to the Energy Minister, Grant Shapps, copying in the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asking them to urgently release at the very least £200 of the energy support for each household in Northern Ireland, to be distributed by local energy companies before the end of December. While this is less than people are expecting, it could provide some support for those families and individuals facing the bleakest winter imaginable, whilst the Government works with the utmost urgency to deliver their alternative model.
"This would place Northern Ireland in a similar position to the rest of the UK, who will have received just under £200 for energy support by the end of this month. It is the least Westminster can do to help alleviate increasing hardship. Of course, this should be complemented by an Executive to deliver further short-term support measures alongside the development of medium to longer-term intervention.
"It is imperative the Government acts with urgency to deliver the support which was promised."
Alliance Calls For Urgent Action On Air Pollution
Warnings of high air pollution that apply to parts of the north west of Northern Ireland demonstrate further that air quality must be urgently prioritised by any incoming Executive, Alliance Party representatives John Blair MLA and Paula Bradshaw MLA has said.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs issued warnings in the north west of Northern Ireland for 'high and moderate' air pollution levels on Sunday night (11 December). It added that the current weather situation may cause the pollution to persist.
During periods of high pollution, whilst generally healthy people are said to be unlikely to experience adverse affects, the symptoms of people with lung or heart disease may worsen.
Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA stated: "The warnings that air pollution has reached the highest possible level in parts of the north west are a stark reminder of the need for urgent action on air quality. Worse still is that the outgoing minister denied increased funding for more air quality monitoring sites, leaving us uncertain about the exact levels of air pollution across all localities.
"This is also a reminder of the failure thus far to deliver a Clean Air Strategy, including low emission zones and consistency of approach to smoke control across Council areas.
"This is another area where inaction penalises people; we simply cannot afford not to act quickly on such issues."
Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA added: "We are now more than aware of the seriously detrimental impact of poor air quality on public health, including on the prevalence of respiratory diseases such as COPD.
"Although some measures have been taken over the years to improve the situation, particularly with regard to cleaner energy and reduced smoking, there remains a huge amount of work to be done.
"The impact on both the environment and on health is why action to improve air quality features not just in the Alliance Party's 'Green New Deal' proposals, but is also placed at the forefront of our 'Fighting Fit' document on health and well-being. Our specific policies include improving the air quality alert system, a Lung Health Strategy, and a single integrated service to prevent and intervene quickly on respiratory disease, including by improving air quality.
"It is time we were back round the table taking responsibility for delivery on such high priority matters which affect our common well-being."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
